: But by 1955 Ford’s woodies were all woodless; the trim a combination of fiberglass and vinyl decals. Source: Classic Cars blog.

1955 Ford Country Squire

: But by 1955 Ford’s woodies were all woodless; the trim a combination of fiberglass and vinyl decals. Source: Classic Cars blog.

Photo: Dan Lyons

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1966 Jaguar 3.8S

: The Jaguar Mark II sedan provided the core of the company’s sales throughout the 1960s. Source: Classic Car blog.

1966 Jaguar 3.8S

: The Jaguar Mark II sedan provided the core of the company’s sales throughout the 1960s. Source: Classic Car blog.

Photo: Dan Lyons

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1966 Jaguar 3.8S

: The 3.8S was distinguished from the base model mainly by its aft section. The car’s length was stretched some six inches. The extended length led to more rear seat and luggage capacity (19 cubic feet), while what lay below improved cornering capability. Source: Classic Car blog.

: Bumpers, grille, signal lamps and grille for the 3.8S were different from the base model, as were the wheel openings. Source: Classic Car blog.

1966 Jaguar 3.8S

: Bumpers, grille, signal lamps and grille for the 3.8S were different from the base model, as were the wheel openings. Source: Classic Car blog.

Photo: Dan Lyons

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1956 Packard Caribbean

: This was based on the Pan American show car that had dazzled crowds at the New York auto show in 1952, though financial limitations meant the production car was not quite as customized as the show car. Source: Classic Car blog.

1951 Ford Crestliner: This coupe gave drivers some of the open look and feel of a ragtop, while keeping the weather tight comfort of a hardtop.

1951 Ford Crestliner: This coupe gave drivers some of the open look and feel of a ragtop, while keeping the weather tight comfort of a hardtop.

Photo: Dan Lyons

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Ad for 1951 Ford Crestliner.

Ad for 1951 Ford Crestliner.

Photo: Dan Lyons

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1951 Ford Crestliner

: Crestliner was a tudor sedan, with a bold, “color sweep” gracing its slab sides. It was crowned with a vinyl top (padded, to emulate a convertible). Fender skirts, dressy hubcaps and the Crestliner script – wrought in anodized gold – rounded out the exterior treatment.

: This Chevy had a European look, with a clean, contoured body, and minimal chrome trim. The RS models were particularly sharp, with split front bumpers and driving lights highlighting the dramatic new nose. Source: Classic Cars blog.

1970 Camaro: The muscle car era had peaked by 1970, but production numbers reflected automakers optimism at the time with 124,901 Camaros sold in model year 1970. Source: Classic Cars blog.

1970 Camaro: The muscle car era had peaked by 1970, but production numbers reflected automakers optimism at the time with 124,901 Camaros sold in model year 1970. Source: Classic Cars blog.

Photo: Dan Lyons

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1974 Corvette Coupe

: The early 1970s were a transitional time for American automakers as manufacturers scrambled to toe the regulatory line, while still fielding marketable products. It was hardly the best of time to be selling sports cars, but Corvette had no choice, and went about the business of selling more and more sizzle, with as much steak as they could still get approval for. Source: Classic Car blog.

: The most noticeable difference between the ’73 and ’74 models was the rear bumper treatment. In ’73, Corvette started the transition to bumpers with greater impact resistance. The federal, 5-mph mandate brought with it body colored, urethane covers for the front end, but not the back. The following year, the process was completed, with body colored bumpers at both corners. Source: Classic Car blog.

: Pontiac’s advertising in the early 1960s was particularly artful and evocative. It was artwork, not photography, so while the couple is realistically portrayed, the car assumes heroically broad proportions, the very definition of Wide-Track. Source: Classic Car Blog.

Ad for 1963 Pontiac Bonneville. High spirited, high end was the GM job description for Pontiac throughout the 1960s. Source: Classic Car Blog.

Ad for 1963 Pontiac Bonneville. High spirited, high end was the GM job description for Pontiac throughout the 1960s. Source: Classic Car Blog.

Photo: H Nourse, Dan Lyons

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1963 Pontiac Bonneville

. In the 1960s, Pontiacs were known for elegant performance and the ads noted the presence of Wide-Track stability, a smooth ride and a Trophy V-8. Source: Classic Car Blog.

1963 Pontiac Bonneville

. In the 1960s, Pontiacs were known for elegant performance and the ads noted the presence of Wide-Track stability, a smooth ride and a Trophy V-8. Source: Classic Car Blog.

Photo: Dan Lyons

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1963 Pontiac Bonneville

: Up front, the familiar, split grille with prominent beak remained from the '62. It divided two sections of thin bar grille. Follow the lines outward, though, and you’d see that ‘62’s vertical, quad headlights were replaced by horizontal lamps in ’63. Along the sides, a broad, ribbed body-side molding reached back from the headlights to mid-door. Source: Classic Car Blog.

: The smooth, speedy, well equipped Datsun Z sport coupes of the 1970s with a nice price was more than buyers could resist, so they didn’t. Source: Classic Cars blog.

1976 Datsun 280Z

: The smooth, speedy, well equipped Datsun Z sport coupes of the 1970s with a nice price was more than buyers could resist, so they didn’t. Source: Classic Cars blog.

Photo: Dan Lyons

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1976 Datsun 280Z: The 1976

version stretched about a foot longer than the conventional Z (185.4” vs. 173.2”) and rolled on a longer wheelbase (102.6” vs. 90.7”). Source: Classic Cars blog.

1976 Datsun 280Z:The 1976

version stretched about a foot longer than the conventional Z (185.4” vs. 173.2”) and rolled on a longer wheelbase (102.6” vs. 90.7”). Source: Classic Cars blog.

Photo: Dan Lyons

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1976 Datsun 280Z

: Increasing safety standards during the 1970’s forced some inelegant solutions onto several sports cars, including Datsun. When it sprouted beefier bumpers in 1975, the 280Z joined the ranks of the MGB and Jaguar E-type, who were already wearing sporting similar setups. Source: Classic Cars blog.

. When entering the land of superhighways, Triumph reinforced their troops by offering a new model with more muscle. Source: Classic Car blog.

1980 Triumph TR8

. When entering the land of superhighways, Triumph reinforced their troops by offering a new model with more muscle. Source: Classic Car blog.

Photo: Dan Lyons

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1980 Triumph TR8

: Power rack and pinion steering, AM-FM stereo and alloy wheels were standard equipment. Air conditioning was the only option on the top Triumph, which stickered for $11,150 as a hardtop and $11,900 in convertible form. Source: Classic Car blog.

: Fast they were, but at the height of the muscle car era, there was no shortage of quick cars. The Buick’s appeal was as a Gentleman’s Hot Rod, more likely to be equipped with comfort features and power options than were other rapid transit machines of the time. Source: Classic Car blog.

More Information

Writer and photographer Dan Lyons frequently takes us down memory lane with photos of classic cars and their ads. Click through the slideshow above to see some of his most recent work. To learn more, visit the Classic Cars blog.